Coiba Dive Center (Panama) are top-rate! I can heart-heartedly recommend them for the PADI open water certification. I was a reluctant diver (my family have been waiting ~20 years for me to join them ...). Julie was business-efficient, but also friendly. Ivan was amazing! I don't think I would've finished the course without his calming reassurance. He quietly and patiently encouraged me to re-do (& re-do) a skill; or talked me through when I suddenly had a nevous spell. He even made me laugh whilst underwater! Thank you, Coiba Dive Center S.A.

I did my discovery dive with Coiba Dive Center and had an amazing experience. Everything was explained really well and I felt comfortable and safe at all times. I only wish I had more time to do my Open Water certification with them!

My wife and I had a terrific time with the folk from Coiba Dive Centre. For me, seeing my first huge (!) Oceanic Manta was definite "bucket list" experience. I did six dives in all over two days. Damien is a wonderful divemaster. My wife [finally!] did her PADI Open Water certification under Ivan's expert tutelage. The diving off Santa Catalina is in my view amongst the best in the world but, for the time being anyway, still relatively undiscovered. The number of new developments in the village suggest that this will not long be so, especially with the new access road that was built last year. (Don't believe Lonely Planet's claim that it is a hard drive.) I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Coiba Dive Center. A shout-out also for Mama Ines hotel, where we stayed. It is a little bit of a trek from the dive shop so only really works if one has a car (which we did) but what a wonderful, unpretentious little establishment right on the best beach in Santa Catalina.

A truly excellent dive center if you are looking to dive in coiba national park or the Contreras. Amazingly friendly staff and owner. Very accommodating and knowledgeable of the local dive sites. Damien was an absolute legend and will show you all the best creatures there is to see within the park ! They also offer multi day trips that sound like an absolute blast . For sure recommended diving with them for anyone in the area 🤘 I will be back 🙌😃

Had a amazing time diving with Coiba Dive Center. The dive master was super friendly and knowledged. Id had a issue with my regulator halfway through the second dive and the dive master was immediately caught it and was able to help me switch to my emergency one with no problems. It was my first time diving solo (I usually go with my family) and was a little nervous going in but immediately felt at ease when seeing how professional Coiba Dive Center was. Saw some amazing things, bull shark, reef sharks and octopuses! would definitely recommend this dive centre to anyone wanting to dive in Santa Catalina!!